B’z guitarist Matsumoto Tak (photo left, 42) has formed a new rock unit with some big US names. Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG) features the man himself on lead guitar, Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin, Night Ranger frontman and bassist Jack Blades, and Brian Tishy on drums. They will release their first single “Oh Japan – Our Time is Now” on March 31, though it is already being used as TV Asahi’s sports theme song for 2004.
• NBS presenter Tashiro Yumi (36) made a surprise announcement on a recent show that she plans to marry a 39-year old doctor on Valentine’s Day. One of the station’s more popular “announcers,” she is also a former Miss Keio University runner-up.